Gardening Question of the Day

Can you tell me how to get rid of chipmunks? They are seriously destroying my landscaping.

Chipmunks are wily little creatures and can be tough to control. You can trap them with peanut butter, oats, nuts, or sunflower seeds in either a catch-and-release trap or one that's a bit more, well, deadly. Chipmunk repellent sprays also are available; contact your local garden center to see if it carries them. If the chipmunks are eating your bulbs, try putting jagged shells or stones in the holes where you plant them. Plant cages will also keep the critters out.

Last 7 Days

Thursday, November 19, 2009

When is the best time to transplant rhubarb plants?

Early spring. Incidentally, you should also divide your plants every two or three years in early spring to ensure excellent stalks.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

I've kept my amaryllis growing since it bloomed last winter. How can I get it to bloom again?

The bulb needs to go through a dormant period. Ideally, you would taper off watering in September, then store the bulb dry in a cool, frost-free place for 60 to 90 days. At the end of the dormant period, replace the top one to two inches of soil with compost. Water thoroughly and bring the pot to room temperature. Your amaryllis should bloom in six to eight weeks.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

How can I make my amaryllis stronger so that the stalk doesn't bend over?

If you grow your amaryllis in a very warm room, the flower stalk will probably require staking. Just insert one next to the stalk, taking care not to disturb the bulb in the container. Amaryllis bulbs may not bloom if they are in too large a pot. There should be no more than one inch of space on each side of the bulb. At least one third of the bulb should be above the soil line.

Monday, November 16, 2009

If I remove the seeds from chiles for my Mexican dishes, will this reduce the spiciness?

The spiciness comes from capsaicin. Most of the capsaicin is located in the interior tissue of the pepper, where the seeds are attached. Peppers can be made considerably less spicy by slicing in half and scraping out the seeds and membranes with a spoon.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

My tomatoes are red, ripe, and beautiful, except for one problem -- they're cracking. What's causing this, and what can I do about it?

Fruit cracking is often associated with inconsistent amounts of moisture. If the soil gets too dried out in hot weather and a heavy wet period follows, the sudden uptake of water causes the toughened skin to crack.

If the cracks are forming as concentric rings around the stem, they may be a sign that the fruit has become too ripe before it is picked. Pick all fruits as soon as they ripen to prevent cracking.

If the cracks on your tomatoes are running from the stem down the sides of the tomato, they may be caused by a number of different fungi. Try keeping the fruits off the ground and minimize surface watering. It is better to use a furrow or drip irrigation system rather than a sprinkler system to water tomatoes.

Saturday, November 14, 2009

How can I prolong the life of my poinsettias this holiday season?

The best thing you can do is keep the plant evenly moist from the time you bring it into the house. Protect it from getting chilled and make sure it is not in the path of any household drafts. Keep it in full sunlight and at temperatures between 65 and 72 degrees F.

Friday, November 13, 2009

I dusted my lawn with peat moss to help build the soil. Now I have lots of mushrooms coming up all over. How can I get rid of them?

If the peat moss was a packaged product harvested from the peat bogs of Canada, it is unlikely that it was the cause of the mushrooms. There is a possibility that adding the peat created good sprouting conditions for the mushroom spores that are commonly present everywhere. To begin growing, a colony of the mushrooms must have decomposing matter available, That is usually dead roots, but perhaps in your case, the peat moss gave just enough decomposing matter to encourage the mushrooms. To get rid of mushrooms, rake or mow. Core aerate to loosen up the compacted soil and you will get more air into the soil structure. Eventually the peat moss will break down and the mushroom colony will cease production. Too bad they are not shitake, right?